Top 5 Guesty Alternatives for Short Term Rental Property Managers

Guesty is a well-known property management platform for short-term rentals. This guide can help you find the best Guesty alternatives.

Short term rentals are one of the most lucrative forms of real estate investment. With the ongoing popularity of vacation rental hosting platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com, earning money from short term rental investments is now easy. However, with the growing competition, the need for efficient short-term rental management also becomes more evident.

Table of Contents

1. Why Are Property Managers Looking for Guesty Alternatives?
2. Top 5 Guesty Alternatives for Property Managers
3. Comparing Guesty Alternatives: Features, Pricing, and Usability

Short-term rental management has become crucial for property owners seeking to maximize occupancy rates, optimize pricing, and enhance guest experiences. Effective management involves various tasks that make operating a vacation rental business a lot smoother and easier. To do so, many short-term rental owners invest in property management software.

The best platform for short-term rental management includes Airbnb tools for property listings, pricing strategy, guest communication, and check-ins and check-outs. It should also have features that make handling maintenance and cleaning, responding to emergencies, and managing online reviews more efficient.

Regarding vacation rental management platforms, many short-term rental owners and property managers know Guesty. Guesty allows you to manage vacation rentals listed on multiple platforms, including Airbnb, HomeAway, and Booking.com. The platform provides useful features that help simplify the lives of vacation rental property owners and managers.

However, if you’re looking for other features that are more valuable for managing your short-term rentals effectively, other platforms would make great Guesty alternatives. In this article, we will list the top five Guesty competitors that you should consider when looking for vacation rental management software.

Why Are Property Managers Looking for Guesty Alternatives?

Short-term rental software like Guesty helps streamline the management of your Airbnb investment. The online platforms offer a suite of property management tools that make your day-to-day operations smoother, enhance your guests’ experiences, and optimize revenue streams. 

Using such platforms ensures that all aspects of property management are centralized and monitored efficiently. They consolidate booking management, guest communication, pricing strategies, and maintenance scheduling into a single, user-friendly interface. The integration reduces the administrative burden many property managers experience.

As mentioned, Guesty is one of the Airbnb management software available on the market today. The platform offers features like a channel manager, accounting integration, analytics, automation tools, direct reservations, a mobile management app, payment solutions, and more. However, despite its various offerings, many investors are still looking for better Guesty alternatives.

Here are some reasons why property managers are exploring Guesty alternatives:

• Pricing: As property management businesses grow, the costs associated with using a comprehensive platform like Guesty can become significant. This especially applies to those with a large number of properties. Property managers might seek more cost-effective solutions that offer similar functionalities at a lower price point.
• Features: While Guesty provides a wide range of features, some property managers may require specific functionalities that are unavailable or not as developed in the platform. This can include more advanced automation tools, different integrations with third-party services, or more customizable reporting and analytics features.
• Scalability: As you expand your portfolio, your needs may outgrow the capabilities of your current software solution. You may need a platform that can more efficiently handle a larger volume of properties. You may also require advanced features to manage complex operations across multiple locations and markets.

Evaluating Key Features in Short-Term Rental Management Software

When evaluating Guesty alternatives for vacation rental management, consider the key features that directly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of your operations. Such features should enhance the guest experience and optimize the overall revenue generation of your investment property. 

When looking for any Guesty alternative, make sure to check for the following features:

Centralized Reservations and Channel Management

A robust short-term rental management software should offer a centralized system for managing bookings from multiple platforms, such as Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo. A vacation rental channel manager prevents double bookings and ensures rate uniformity across channels, significantly reducing administrative workload and increasing occupancy rates.

Dynamic Pricing Tools

The ability to automatically adjust prices based on rental demand, seasonality, and local events can significantly impact revenue. Dynamic pricing tools analyze vast amounts of data to recommend optimal pricing strategies, ensuring competitiveness and maximizing income.

Automated Communication

Timely and effective communication with guests is vital to providing a high-quality experience. Look for software that automates guest messaging, from booking confirmations and check-in instructions to post-stay thank-you notes. This feature helps save time and enhances guest satisfaction.

Maintenance and Task Management

Efficiently managing maintenance issues and cleaning schedules is essential for maintaining property standards. Software that offers task management features helps assign tasks to team members, track progress, and ensure that properties are always guest-ready.

Integration Capabilities

The ability to integrate with other tools and services, such as accounting software and payment processors, can significantly enhance operational efficiency. These integrations allow for a more seamless management experience and reduce the need for manual data entry.

Market Insights

Being able to access market insights about your competition is an advantage because it allows you to plan how to position your vacation rentals so they will stand out. 

Top 5 Guesty Alternatives for Property Managers

Considering the limitations of Guesty as a short-term rental property management tool, it’s a good idea to find Guesty alternatives that can improve your operations and your Airbnb ROI. When choosing the best Guesty alternatives, we look at the features that can enhance your overall experience.

Here are our top five choices:

1. Lodgify

Lodgify is a short-term rental management platform that enables users to build a customizable, direct-booking website without requiring technical expertise. The software integrates with major vacation rental platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. It helps synchronize bookings and calendars to manage multiple listings from a single dashboard.

The platform is primarily known for its user-friendly interface and a wide array of tools that serve the needs of both small property owners and larger rental businesses. Lodgify’s focus on direct bookings helps property owners reduce their reliance on third-party booking sites and avoid paying hefty commission fees.

Key features and benefits:

• Website Builder: Lodgify provides a website builder specifically tailored for vacation rentals, allowing users to set up professional-looking websites. 
• Channel Manager: The channel manager feature enables synchronization of reservations and calendars across popular platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and others. It reduces the risk of double bookings and saves time on manual updates.
• Booking System: Lodgify’s booking system allows direct bookings through the user’s website, letting you save on third-party commissions and fees.
• Price Management Tools: The platform boasts PriceLabs integration, which automates your rental rates based on market demand, seasonal trends, and thorough rental market analysis.

Lodgify offers three pricing plans: starter, professional, and ultimate. You also have the option to pay monthly, yearly, or every two years. 

Users like Lodgify’s ease of use and effectiveness of the website builder, appreciating how simple it is to create a professional-looking site for direct bookings. The channel manager has also received positive remarks for its ability to streamline the management of listings across multiple platforms. 

However, user experiences can vary, and some reviews point out areas for improvement, such as more advanced customization options for the websites or enhanced customer support.

2. Hostaway

Hostaway is known for its scalability and wide array of features. The platform aims to streamline the complexities of short-term rental management through automation, integration, and advanced analytics. Its set of tools is designed to save time, raise revenue, and enhance the guest experience.

Key features and benefits:

• Channel Manager: Hostaway’s channel manager synchronizes bookings and availability across multiple platforms. It prevents double bookings and ensures consistent information is presented to potential guests.
• Unified Inbox: A unified messaging inbox allows for streamlined communication with guests from different booking channels in one place. It helps improve response times and guest satisfaction.
• Automated Messaging: The platform offers customizable automated messages for booking confirmations, check-in instructions, and other guest communications. It reduces manual tasks and ensures consistent guest engagement.
• Dynamic Pricing Integration: Hostaway integrates with leading dynamic pricing tools, enabling property managers to automatically adjust prices based on demand, seasonality, and market trends. It allows for maximizing revenue opportunities.
• Reporting and Analytics: Hostaway’s reporting tools provide insights into business performance, occupancy rates, revenue, and other key metrics. Its analytics feature allows you to make informed decisions and optimize your strategy better.

Hostaway’s pricing structure is customized based on your unique needs and preferences, offering varied services that scale with your growth. First, it needs to evaluate your needs so it can find the best solution for you. After evaluating your needs, you will be provided with a quote and a schedule for a demo.

Users often praise Hostaway for its comprehensive feature set and efficiency in managing multiple properties and bookings. However, you can find a few mixed reviews, particularly regarding the learning curve associated with leveraging the full suite of features and also the cost.

3. Smoobu

Smoobu is another vacation rental management software that aims to simplify the management of multiple listings across various booking platforms. Its intuitive interface and comprehensive toolset focus on ease of use, making it accessible for both newcomers to the vacation rental industry and experienced property managers. 

It also supports integration with major booking channels like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo. It ensures property managers can efficiently handle listings and reservations from a single dashboard.

Key features and benefits:

• Channel Manager: Smoobu’s channel manager keeps calendars and bookings in sync across all connected platforms, including Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, and more. It effectively prevents double bookings and ensures up-to-date information availability.
• Free Website: The software includes a feature for creating a customizable direct booking website. This lets property owners increase their direct reservations without commission fees.
• Automated Communication: Smoobu automates guest communications, sending out personalized booking confirmations, reminders, and instructions. It helps enhance the guest experience and reduces manual workload.
• Rate Synchronization: In addition to calendar syncing, Smoobu also synchronizes pricing across all platforms. Through synchronized pricing, you can ensure consistent rates and enable dynamic pricing strategies to maximize your revenue.
• Integrations: The integrated property management system facilitates the management of day-to-day operations, including bookings, payments, and guest interactions, all from one interface. The platform integrates with other tools like PayPal, Stripe, PriceLabs, Wheelhouse, and more.

Smoobu offers three different plans: Basic, Professional, and Team. The Basic plan is free. For the other two paid plans, you can either pay monthly, yearly, or every two years. 

The software’s ability to simplify complex tasks and integrate multiple booking channels into a single dashboard is often highlighted as a major benefit among user reviews. However, the system can be improved through more advanced features and customization options. 

4. Eviivo

Eviivo is a cloud-based booking and property management system tailored for owners of bed and breakfasts, guesthouses, small hotels, and vacation rentals. Eviivo aims to help property owners maximize their online presence, streamline operations, and enhance guest experiences.

The platform enables property managers to manage their bookings and promote their properties across multiple online travel agencies (OTAs) from a single interface. It focuses on making online booking easy and efficient and ensuring properties are bookable 24/7. It also provides tools to optimize occupancy and revenue.

Key features and benefits:

• Channel Manager: Eviivo’s channel manager helps synchronize availability and rates in real time across all connected booking sites. It prevents overbooking and ensures consistent pricing across all channels.
• Website Manager: The software includes a feature to create an SEO- and mobile-friendly booking website to increase direct bookings and build your brand.
• Payment Manager: Eviivo facilitates secure payment processing, including pre-authorizations, deposits, and balance payments. Its contactless payment collection has full native Level 1 PCI compliance, ensuring airtight security.
• Property Management Tools: The platform offers a range of property management features, including an intuitive booking planner and guest communication tools. It also includes the ability to manage rates, offers, and promotions.
• Performance Manager: Eviivo provides detailed insights and reports on performance metrics such as occupancy rates, average daily rates, and revenue per available room. This allows property managers to make informed decisions quickly.

Eviivo’s rates depend on the type of property you want to manage, either single-family or multi-family. The amount charged varies depending on the number of properties and number of bedrooms. 

Eviivo users often appreciate the platform’s comprehensive feature set. However, some users report a somewhat steep learning curve when first adopting the software, citing the need for more intuitive navigation or additional training resources.

5. Mashvisor

Mashvisor became well-known as a real estate analytics platform designed to assist real estate investors in making their long-term and vacation rental investments profitable. But recently, the company launched its own vacation rental software (VRS), featuring three essential tools: a channel manager, a unified inbox, and a multi-calendar. Of course, the platform still offers tools that help investors find their next profitable investment property. These leverage extensive data analytics, including Airbnb data, to provide insights and forecasts that help users make informed investment decisions.

Key features and benefits:

• Vacation Rental Channel Manager: Mashvisor’s new VRS allows you to sync all of your listings with different booking platforms, such as Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, Expedia, Google Vacation Rentals, Agoda, and more. This helps you increase your listings’ exposure to different booking websites and prevent double bookings.
• Unified Inbox: This tool centralizes all of your guest communications by synchronizing with the inboxes in your respective booking accounts and displaying them in your Mashvisor inbox. You can also reply to these messages from Mashvisor and your guests will see them on the platform they used to contact you.
• Multi-Calendar: With Mashvisor, you can now see a quick overview of your listings and when they are booked. You will also be notified of new bookings, modifications, and cancellations. Property managers can use this tool to adjust prices and block dates.
• Dynamic Pricing Automation With Smart Calendar: Mashvisor lets you set your rental rates manually or automate your pricing using its AI-powered dynamic pricing tool. The feature integrates with its smart calendar, which considers historical data like Airbnb demand, seasonality, local events, and booking history.
• Market Insights: Mashvisor provides insights into broader market trends, helping users understand the performance of the real estate market in different cities. You can easily assess your competition and see how similar properties perform in your area.
• Neighborhood Analytics: The platform offers in-depth analytics at the neighborhood level, including average property prices, rental incomes, occupancy rates, and investment returns. It helps investors identify the best short-term rental markets.

Mashvisor offers three pricing plans: Lite, Standard, and Professional. You can opt to pay either quarterly or yearly.

Users of Mashvisor appreciate the platform’s ability to streamline the property research process, citing its comprehensive data and analytics, which are crucial for making informed investment decisions.

Comparing Guesty Alternatives: Features, Pricing, and Usability

Each of the Guesty alternatives offers a unique set of tools and benefits designed to streamline the management of short-term rentals and optimize investment decisions. Let’s examine how they compare.

Features

Lodgify stands out with its strong focus on direct booking websites. It offers an intuitive website builder that allows property owners to create personalized, SEO-friendly websites to increase direct bookings. Its channel manager and reservation system also make it a comprehensive choice for managing listings and bookings across multiple platforms.

Hostaway is notable for its scalability and extensive feature set, including a robust channel manager, unified inbox for guest communications, and dynamic pricing integration. It is particularly well-suited for larger property management companies that require advanced functions to manage extensive property portfolios.

Smoobu emphasizes ease of use and efficiency with a straightforward interface that simplifies channel management, rate synchronization, and automated guest communication. It’s an excellent option for those who prioritize a user-friendly experience without sacrificing comprehensive management capabilities.

Eviivo focuses on small to medium-sized accommodations like B&Bs, guesthouses, and small hotels. It offers a comprehensive property management system with a channel manager, direct booking website capabilities, and secure payment processing. Its tailored approach makes it ideal for those in the boutique accommodation sector.

Mashvisor differs from the others by specializing in property management and real estate analytics. While it still provides investors with data-driven insights, its new vacation rental software helps property managers run their vacation rentals more easily. The channel manager keeps all of their listings synced across different booking platforms. The unified streamlines guest communications. The multi-calendar gives a quick overview of which listing is booked on which date and at what rate. Lastly, the dynamic pricing tool uses AI-powered technology to analyze and recommend rates that will maximize your revenue.

Pricing

Lodgify and Smoobu offer transparent, tiered pricing models based on the number of properties, making them accessible for property managers with varying portfolio sizes. Both platforms typically include a free trial to test their features.

Hostaway provides custom pricing tailored to the specific needs of property management companies. Its focus is on scalability and advanced features suitable for managing large numbers of properties.

Eviivo offers customized pricing based on the range of features required and the type and size of the property. It caters to the unique needs of small to medium-sized accommodation providers.

Mashvisor offers three subscription tiers, allowing users to choose a plan based on their data access and the level of analysis tools they require. It provides options suitable for both novice investors and experienced property managers

Usability

Lodgify and Smoobu are praised for their user-friendly interfaces, making them accessible even to those with limited technical skills. They allow quick setup and easy management of properties.

Hostaway offers a more complex platform with a range of advanced features, which might come with a steeper learning curve. However, it provides extensive functionality for experienced property managers

Eviivo tailors its usability to the hospitality industry, offering features specifically tailored to the needs of B&Bs, guesthouses, and small hotels. It boasts an interface designed to manage such accommodations efficiently.

Mashvisor focuses its usability on providing essential tools for property managers to run their vacation rental businesses more easily and efficiently. It also allows investors to easily find the best investment property in their chosen location in the United States, as well as Airbnb data in different countries.

Making the Right Choice for Your Rental Property

Selecting the right software for managing your rental property is a critical decision that can significantly impact the efficiency of your operations and the satisfaction of your guests. With a variety of Guesty alternatives available, it’s essential to consider your specific needs and how these platforms compare with Guesty in terms of functionality and user experience.

Here are some tips for making the right choice:

Define Your Needs

• Size and Scale: Consider the size of your property portfolio. Guesty is popular among vacation rental businesses with a lot of properties. But if you manage a smaller number of properties but want to scale later on, a more straightforward solution like Mashvisor might be more user-friendly.
• Target Market: Identify your target market and your properties’ specific needs. Some tools are tailored for B&Bs, guesthouses, and small hotels.
• Features Priority: Determine which features are most crucial for your operations. If direct bookings are a priority, you can find vacation rental software that also has robust website-building tools. Meanwhile, Mashvisor provides comprehensive channel management for those with listings across multiple platforms.

Compare Functionality

• Channel Management: The depth and ease of integration can vary. Guesty’s comprehensive channel manager is highly regarded. However, alternatives like Mashvisor also offers robust solutions for synchronizing listings and bookings.
• Automation and Communication: Guesty is known for automating communication and operational tasks. Mashvisor also provides automated messaging but may differ in customization and complexity.
• Pricing and Revenue Management: Guesty’s dynamic pricing tools are advanced. But if pricing flexibility is essential, consider whether alternatives like Mashvisor’s pricing features meet your needs.

Consider Pricing Plans

• Cost-Effectiveness: Evaluate the cost relative to the features and benefits provided. Guesty might offer extensive functionalities, but a less expensive solution might be more appropriate if you don’t need that much.

Evaluate User Experience

• Ease of Use: Guesty is known for its comprehensive feature set, which might come with a learning curve. Prioritize platforms with user-friendly interfaces.
• Integration and Flexibility: While Guesty offers a wide range of integrations, assess whether other platforms provide the specific integrations you need. Consider payment processing, accounting, and other business tools.

Conclusion

When it comes to vacation rental management software, you need to consider features that are valuable for your property management needs. While Guesty is a popular option, other Guesty alternatives offer more robust features, better user experience, and more cost-effective pricing plans. It’s best to compare the other options to find the best fit for your needs.

If you are looking for a platform that will not only help you manage your vacation rentals but also expand your portfolio and find the best investment property available, Mashvisor is your best option. With its comprehensive tools, you can keep your vacation rental business running smoothly and make the right investment decisions that will lead to your success in the space.

The best thing about Mashvisor is that it is not only a property management software but an all-in-one platform that caters to the needs of investors and property managers. Whether you are looking to start an Airbnb business or grow your portfolio, Mashvisor has everything you need to succeed. 

As a vacation rental management software, Mashvisor offers the necessary features to help ensure your property stands out among the competition. These features include Dynamic Pricing, Channel Manager, Unified Inbox, and Multi-Calendar. Through these features, you can assess the performance of your short-term rental property against the competition, set the right rates to maximize revenue, and manage your listings on different booking platforms from one dashboard.